Linzess for Chronic Idiopathic Constipation User Reviews (Page 3)

• Sta...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 2, 2020

"Even with side effects, doctors wanted my husband on Linzess because of an ileus and having suffered complete impaction. We've tried for six months to get assistance from the Allergan Patient Assistance Program. Mistakes on the first application left the application sitting until I began investigating in March. In May, I called to learn of incomplete and erroneous information (my fault since I was using info from the 2018 Part D plan) and the doctor's office providing incomplete and mistaken information. On June 2, I just called Allergan again about a denial letter that requires hours of further research on every penny we spend. My husband suffered a massive stroke with paralysis. I work the entire day on his care. Allergan wants that time spent providing information from the cable bill to utilities to food and clothing monthly expenses. I quit. He just won't get the medication, even though Humana Pharmacy doesn't even cover it. That is no assistance for people already suffering."

• Hap...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 12, 2019

"I have been taking Linzess for over four years now. Started at 145 every morning 1/2 hour prior to first meal. At some point during the day, I would develop diarrhea at unpredictable times. Started taking it right before bedtime, and the next day would start with diarrhea again, but at least it would be done by 10 o’clock in the morning. Better! Then the 72 dose became available. Started with that dose right before bedtime. TaDa!!! Seven mornings a week with my first cup of coffee! Linzess has been a lifesaver for me! I believe if you experiment a bit to find the right dose and time of day ~ Linzess can work for anybody! No side effects except those experienced during my trial and error period, which was about three months. Stick with it until you find what is right for you. Highly recommend!"

• IBS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2014

"Best stuff to help with irritable bowel syndrome! I take it every day and have noticed the diarrhea subside and have 'regular' bowel movements after two weeks. If you take it each day and not 'as needed,' you'll notice a huge difference."

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2017

"I am a 40+ female. I thought I was going to live in misery the rest of my life. I had bowel movements every 3-5 days. I had so much bloating. I was cranky and had very little energy. I had constant pain in my back under my ribs. Since taking Linzess, all of that is gone and I have had a bowel movement every day. My energy is so much better. I am a different person. Thankful to God!"

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 29, 2016

"I have been using Linzess or Constella as it's known in Canada for over a year. It has been 100% a miracle for me and my life. I have played around with it and I wanted to share with everyone what I found. 1. I take this every 2 or 3 days and completely clear out. 2. The days I take it, I set my alarm to wake me up at approximately 4 or 5 am and take my dose along with 1 liter of water and go back to sleep. By the time I get up, I'm ready to empty. 3. You have to take it with more than a glass of water. One liter has worked best for me. Being dehydrated or not drinking enough water stops it from working as well since it's an osmotic (pulls water to the bowel). 4. Be aware you will have loose stool for the day. I will take it any day over constipation!!!"

• KKa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2020

"I began Linzess last month after years of constipation. I started on a 145 dose and had no effect at all. The doctor increased it to 290. Still, no effect other than some gas. However, when coupled with Metamucil 2 times per day and Miralax once a day, I have decent bowel movements at least every other day. No diarrhea or bloating. I took all three medications for me... nothing effective on its own."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 5, 2015

"This medicine is everything. I take this and within an hour I'm in the bathroom. Once I take the pill, I drink a whole bottle of water and it helps a whole lot better. I usually go 2-3 times when I take the medicine. This medicine has saved my life."

• All...
• November 3, 2014

"I've been taking Miralax as I was told to take it daily for my chronic bowel constipation, which always resulted in blockage. I recently saw a commercial for Linzess and decided to research it on my own. I saw my physician, and they let me try it for 30 days, only because of the severity of my blockages, to see a gastroenterologist. I have been on it now for 4 days, and this is the best I've felt in 11 years since my bowel was damaged in surgery by error. I finally feel hope for my physical future."

• Ms ...
• March 10, 2016

"I have dealt with chronic constipation all my life. No matter how I change my diet, no matter how much I work out to keep things moving, I still get constipated. I can go weeks at a time with no BM and sometimes a whole month. I know this is definitely not normal. My doctor has done 3 colonoscopies and can't seem to find anything wrong. About 3 months ago, I went in with severe constipation and nothing I took helped. He gave me samples of Linzess. I was afraid to take them at first, but I was so miserable I said, 'What the heck, better out than in.' I took the Linzess and within 4 hours I was in the restroom. I still had to do just a little light pushing since the stool that was already in the rectal area was hard as a brick. I love Linzess."

• Khy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2020

"I have been diagnosed with CIC. I was 'normal' until after a hysterectomy a year ago. I didn't have a BM for 15 days after surgery and rarely have gone on my own since. I have to use enemas, suppositories, mag citrate, etc., to force a BM. If I take the 'wait and see' approach, I simply don't go. At all. I tried Amitiza and it did nothing but make me so nauseous and headaches that I couldn't function. Switched me to Linzess. I started on 72 mcg dose for 2 weeks and except for a few noticeable tummy gurgles, it did not work. Two weeks later I had to use mag citrate and an enema to get things flushed out. Dr. upped the dose to 144 mcg daily. It's been a full week and nothing but insane bloating and nausea. I have had every test under the sun and it all comes back normal. But this med has not worked either."

• Cat...
• July 27, 2018

"This medication is a lifesaver! I have had chronic constipation/ IBS my whole life. However, the last two years, I had a health scare that required me to be on high doses of narcotics until I finally had surgery to correct the problem. During this time, I tried stool softeners, senna tea, etc., to help with the constipation, but often times I would need an enema to help. After my surgery, between the increase in all the pain meds prescribed and the surgical pain, going to the bathroom was a nightmare. My surgeon had me on Colace stool softener, Miralax twice a day, and a senna stimulant, but they didn't work. Thankfully, she suggested this medication, and my God do I wish I found this YEARS ago! 2 hours after taking this medication, I felt the urge to go to the bathroom! I actually cried tears of joy to be able to go to the bathroom normally (husband laughed at me - lol). No hurt, no hard stools, no diarrhea, no adverse effects. Thank you, Linzess!"

• com...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2014

"Tried to get my husband to take this since it came out in January. I was tired of him moping around the house taking laxatives. He has opioid-induced constipation of the worst kind. He finally gave in and tried this and says it is a miracle. It worked within 3 hours and did the job. It also did it smoothly without pain. He will be taking it regularly from now on. He had to pay $30 copay with our insurance."

• JDa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 19, 2019

"I have had horrible constipation issues for years. When I finally went to my gastroenterologist and they put me on Linzess, it really did change things. The first few times I took Linzess before I went to bed, which was a mistake, I won't go into great detail about that, but let's just say I had a mess or two to clean up. When I take it like I should, it works wonderfully, and I'm so thankful that there is something out there that actually works because I have tried everything. This medicine may not be for everyone, but it definitely has worked for me the past year and a half."

• Doe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2019

"I feel I need to share my history and reason for treatment with Linzess, as I see many negative reviews here. I have been completely dependent on laxatives for my entire adult life, I’m 44 years old, making me constantly sick. Obviously, this is not sustainable. I was reluctant to try this medication because other prescriptions have failed me in the past. My gastrointestinal doctor wanted me to at least try Linzess. And I must say, it’s a miracle! No pain, no cramps, no nausea! And it works like magic! Yes, you will have diarrhea."

• Ker...
• June 25, 2013

"I just wrote a note of appreciation to the physician who prescribed LINZESS for me. I have been taking it now for about three months, and it has truly improved my life significantly. After suffering from constant constipation for over thirty years, I am so thankful to have this life-changing medication. It works consistently and predictably every day without any noticeable side-effects. If my schedule does not permit its use, for example having an early flight, I simply do not take it that day. For me, this medicine has been miraculous."

• Ecg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2019

"From viewing many of the comments, it seems that in some cases, this drug was incorrectly prescribed. This drug worked for me as I have a long history of mega-colon and chronic constipation. Even taking magnesium carbonate (the fizzy kind), I'd have diarrhea that would flow around the extensive compacted stool throughout the large bowel. Also, fiber would only create inflammation in my intestines. Linzess is minimally absorbed, which is good as I usually react badly to most modern drugs. I started on the low dose (72 mcg) first and then tried the medium (145 mcg) dose, which seems better. It took about 2 weeks to eliminate most of the compacted stool, so it may take a while to perceive effective results."

• Arl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2013

"My doctor said I have chronic constipation. Since laxatives stopped working, fiber supplements, water, fruit, and vegetables don't do anything for me. I had an entire bottle of Magnesium Citrate and it didn't do anything for me. I was so miserable and constipated that I didn't know what to do anymore. My stomach looked like a big balloon and I had gas. My doctor gave me 4 bottles of Linzess 145 mcg/capsule. I took it and it works. I am so happy I found out about Linzess. The first few days, the bowel motion was watery, but now it looks better. It's best to take it early in the morning with a tall glass of water. Within an hour, you will go. I am so happy to know about Linzess and I hope it keeps doing miracles for me. Recommended."

• GI ...
• February 23, 2015

"I have severe chronic idiopathic constipation. And Linzess usually works within 2-3 hours after taking it. It doesn't work every time, but if it works 2 times a week, then I'm happy. Without it, I only had a bowel motion once a month at the most. And that's after using magnesium citrate."

• Tha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 19, 2019

"I have suffered from constipation all of my life. I’m 44 years old, and I would barely have 2 bowel motions (BMs) a month. My GI doctor gave me Linzess a year ago and told me to take 145 mg twice a day. OMG, it worked so well. Now I take only 145 mg on a Wednesday and Saturday. This medication was heaven-sent because it has really helped a lot of people, including myself. As far as side effects, the only side effect I’ve had was watery stool. That’s why my GI reduced it to 145 mg once a day. But heck, I only take it twice a week, and I have a BM every other day as long as I take it twice a week. But hey, there’s no cramping or painful BMs as laxatives always did."

• CPa...
• April 16, 2020

"Have had problems with constipation following abdominal surgery. Dr. prescribed Linzess 72, and it worked perfectly right away, with no aftereffects whatsoever. I hope others with constipation problems consider this medication."

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 12, 2019

"I have had chronic constipation for 15 plus years. It's unbearable pain, very depressing pain. So intense, I have passed out with pain from trying to poop. I found Linzess about two months ago, and I love it. Sometimes it's rough due to diarrhea, but it's worth it to me. The price is unbelievable. To everyone that takes Linzess, go to Prescription Hotline, it's for people that can't afford their meds. I thought, yeah right, $432.00 for Linzess. They got it for me through their manufacturer, and I get it for $49.99 a month. That is awesome, I can afford to keep taking it. They are super about helping you. Good luck."

• Con...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 11, 2019

"Linzess is truly a miracle answer to my prayers. I’m not sure how this voodoo medicine works, but it works!! It has been years of cramping and discomfort until I found Linzess. Rectal fissures requiring surgery, hemorrhoids, etc. I would go 3 weeks without pooping WHILE taking stool softeners. Nothing worked. I could down 3 bottles of Miralax and water, senna tablets, along with some of those magnesium drinks in one sitting and still NOTHING. Linzess is MAGIC. I sometimes get diarrhea from using it, but it dulls the pain, so it’s nothing like regular diarrhea. Anyway, if you have chronic constipation and have tried everything (or not), Linzess is for you!!"

• TBa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 20, 2017

"I am a 21-year-old female who suffers from IBS-C. Before this medication, I would only go to the bathroom about once a week or sometimes go two weeks without going. I have been on Linzess 145 mg for a week now, and it has changed my life forever! My doctor prescribed me to take it in the morning with 2 fiber gummies 30 minutes before breakfast. I now go to the bathroom twice a day! My cramps are not bad and go away once I use the bathroom. I don't experience any dizziness. I almost did not take this medication because of the negative reviews, but I'm glad I looked past it! Ask your doctor for coupons as well, I got a coupon for a 90-day supply for $30. Good luck!"

• RLR...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2024

"I am a 43-year-old female and have dealt with severe chronic constipation issues for a good portion of my life. I have tried everything to the point of losing my mind. I started on Linzess 290 in 2021 and took it exactly as prescribed - in the morning with LOTS of water 30 mins before breakfast. All it ever did was make me bloated & partially work maybe 2 times out of 10, so I quit taking it. Fast forward to March 2024. My symptoms were getting worse, so I saw my gastro dr again and figured I'd give it another shot out of desperation. Took it again as directed for 2 weeks with the same issues as they were in 2021. So I did some reading of reviews and saw others having success taking it at night after eating, so I decided to do the same...this has been a game-changer for me! I take it every other night about 20 minutes after I eat dinner and drink a huge glass of water with it, and the next morning...RELIEF! I feel like a new person! I pray it continues to work like it has been."

• Jon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2016

"I have had stomach and bowel movement issues since I was 2. I have tried everything. Reflexology, acupuncture, medicines, and drank mineral oil for 10 years. I took one 145 mg pill and in 6 hours, I actually had a bowel movement and several more to follow in the next 6 hours. I weighed myself the next day and I had lost 3 pounds. It does have some not so great side effects, but I am happy that I can go. I don't take it every day because it is too much for me, I can't sit on the toilet all day, but I do take it every other day. It's working for me!"